NXP IC transforms energy-saving lamps with deep dimming and quick warm-up capabilities

EINDHOVEN, THE NETHERLANDS: NXP Semiconductors announced the availability of the UBA2028, a fully integrated high-voltage power IC that drives dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs).

The UBA2028 enables lighting manufacturers to create high-quality CFLs that rival incandescent bulbs, with quick warm-up and unprecedented dimming capabilities down to 10 percent of full light intensity. The latest NXP CFL driver IC features the highest level of integration available on the market today, enabling more compact designs, highly efficient power conversion, and extended CFL lifetimes beyond 15,000 hours.

The market for energy-efficient CFLs is expected to grow significantly, as governments around the world ban incandescent light bulbs, and households and businesses take advantage of the energy savings offered by CFLs, which use up to 80 percent less electricity compared to incandescents.

Datapoint Research predicts that the number of CFL units sold annually will reach 5 billion by 2012. However, only a fraction of CFL bulbs sold today meet consumers' expectations in terms of quality, functionality and performance.

In Europe, this has led to stricter requirements for CFL product labelling; in the US, this has led to initiatives such as “Super CFL.” In both regions, new specifications are emerging for high-performance, high-quality compact fluorescents with better color light, faster start-up times, better dimming and longer life.

All of NXP?s CFL driver ICs, including the UBA2028, have been designed in anticipation of the shift toward higher-quality compact fluorescents. By adopting integrated chip solutions to replace standard discrete implementations in electronic ballasts, manufacturers can address these stricter requirements and deliver more consumer-friendly CFLs with better quality light, faster warm-up and longer product lifetimes for lower total cost of ownership.

The NXP UBA2028 introduces “true dimming” capabilities – for a smoother dimming experience without flickering and noise. Further, its high level of integration enables more compact CFL sizes that can fit smaller lampshade designs than ever before.

“Consumers have been understandably frustrated with the quality of light available from most CFLs on the market today. With the UBA2028, NXP is helping to change the way people perceive and experience compact fluorescent lighting,” said Jacques le Berre, director of marketing and business development for lighting solutions, NXP Semiconductors.

“By enabling 'true dimming,' we are enabling lighting manufacturers to raise the bar and create higher-quality CFLs that are indistinguishable from incandescent bulbs. The net result is that consumers who want to take advantage of the tremendous energy savings offered by CFLs will no longer have to sacrifice the quality of light they enjoy in their homes.”

The UBA2028 is the latest addition to NXP?s broad portfolio of lighting solutions – a complete range of control and driver ICs covering all mains connected lighting technologies for the most innovative companies in the world.

To date, NXP has sold over 300 million fluorescent lighting driver ICs, helping to save an estimated 500 million kg of CO2 per year, compared with more traditional lighting solutions.

As one of the first semiconductor companies to recognize the growing importance of energy-efficient lighting, NXP has been active in the development of ballast control and driver ICs since 1992, supporting the development of solutions for all markets – from residential, office, retail and architectural lighting, to lighting for cars, streets and roads.